Joint Symposium of the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) College of Business, the UNR Center for Basque Studies, and the Government of Bizkaia.

Bogazici University, Istanbul, 26-28 June 2024
Recent global events, including the Covid-19 pandemic and ongoing conflicts, have sparked significant discussions about governmental crisis responses and the evolving relationship between businesses and governments, especially in publicprivate partnerships. These challenges are compounded by demographic shifts, climate change, conflicts, and the rise of AI and automation, all presenting urgent dilemmas. Effective responses are critical, with entrepreneurship—whether business, social, or public—emerging as a vital means to devise innovative solutions.

Governments play a crucial role in fostering entrepreneurship, particularly through strategic taxation policies. Such policies can stimulate economic growth and address societal needs but are challenging to implement amid fiscal constraints and political polarization. The anticipated evolution of
governmental structures includes mechanisms for better coordination between central and local authorities, especially in fiscally decentralized nations, potentially reshaping governance.

The symposium aims to examine entrepreneurship’s role in business-government relations in the 21st century, focusing on Bizkaia in the Basque Country and its use of taxation to promote entrepreneurship. The symposium’s findings, to be
published by the Center for Basque Studies at UNR, will enhance our understanding of the complex interplay between governments and various sectors in the modern era.